Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 2 Chapter 1: Daiippo/First Step

[Plainsfox]

@The Honor of the Scorpion Clan

Kojiro snorted at the Crab. "To the first strike then, eh? get into your stance. You do remember that much from the Iaijutsu tournament, do you not? The Scorpion bushi would shift into position to initate the Iaijutsu duel.

OOC:
Awareness/Iaijutsu (Assessment) 6k3 w/ 3 dice to handle explosions
Raises called: 2 to hide his abilities
Results: 32  

[Mongooseh]

@ The Honor(?) of the Scorpion Clan:

Kagae would remain resolute and confident that his current stance would serve him the best.  

[Plainsfox]

OOC:

Awareness/Courtier roll to shift this to an Iaijutsu duel to the first blood
5k3 w/ 3 additional dice to handle explosions
Results: 29  

[Mongooseh]

@ The Honor(?) of the Scorpion Clan:

"I refuse to duel you at all actually Kojiro-san! Especially over a cut wooden pole. Cut me down in cold blood if you wish but you shall only besmirch your own name further..."

Kagae would step back further but stood more relaxed now.  

[Psychofish]

[Void Spent to add 1k1]
[1 Raise to look for signs of struggle.]
[1 Raise to look for sentries.]
[5k3 Perception/Investigate(Notice):22]  

[Plainsfox]

@The Honor of the Scorpion Clan

Kojiro intended to pink the Kaiu, but his aim was untrue and all he did was create a slight breeze by Kagae's ear. The angry tirade that was forming inside Kojiro's brain devolved into nonsense and gibberish and the Scorpion bushi merely froze there.

OOC:
Reflexes/Iaijutsu (6k3)
TN: 35
Raises Called: 3 (Called shot)
Results: 18  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Hare abounds:

Denbe would leave the rest of the group behind (and probably for the best), deciding to scout out the village.

It is definitely difficult to see, but he makes due with the few resources he has available. Whereas the darkness aids his enemies, it also becomes his ally as well, as the rest of the party quickly loses sight and sound of the Hare.

Denbe makes his way around the perimeter, trying to avoid open areas. However, he is a bit too focused on where he's going to pick up any fine details...

Denbe does not find any signs of struggles.
Denbe does not manage to spot any sentries.
Denbe is apparently not spotted by any sentries.

For the most part, he finds no real sign of life at all; normally, the farmers and villagers would be in bed by this hour, so he wouldn't expect them out. So either the sentries are better hidden than Denbe can spot in this unfamiliar enemy territory, or there isn't a single soul out at all (or possibly, even left in the village)!

With a 12, it's kind of hard to tell.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ The Honor of the Scorpion Clan:

Kojiro lays it all on the line, issuing a dueling challenge to Kaiu Kagae on the spot! Though, the Crab refuses to acknowledge the challenge.

Kagae loses 1 point of glory for losing face by turning down the duel! Though he does not lose any honor, since he did not duel without his Lord's permission.

However, when the Crab stands down, Kojiro lashes out with his blade in anger, attempting to scorn Kagae for turning the other cheek! He would suddenly draw and slash with his blade, but is too blinded by anger and the blade clangs loudly against Kagae's armor.

Quote:

but is too blinded by anger and the blade clangs loudly against Kagae's armor.

Quote:

the blade clangs loudly against Kagae's armor.

Quote:

the blade clangs loudly

Kojiro loses 1 point of honor for being duped into performing a foolish act! Luckily, he dodges the 'unwarranted violence' bullet, barely!

Making no attempt to hide, someone or something suddenly breaks from the bushes and heads into the forest at a run; their escape is shrouded by the utter blackness of the forest at night.

-----

Update: Miyako no longer has to worry about honor loss for the insult, since Kojiro already took action on her behalf.  

[Plainsfox]

@The Outskirts of Town

The miffed bushi would sheathe his katana at the sounds of footsteps rapidly running away. "....and that would be the scout that I had thought was surveying us." This day kept on getting worse and worse.  

[Sutiiven]

"In case you've forgotten, we're Jade Wardens under the employ of the Jade Magistrate. Perhaps you two would like to start behaving like it?" said a less than amused Mantis Courtier to Kojiro and Kagae.

Hisashi would take his bow from its resting place and nock an arrow. He kept the weapon aimed at the ground and didn't draw the bowstring back, but it was clear that he wanted to be able to react fairly quickly should a skirmish arise.

"Now, if you two are done bickering and making our presence known to everyone in the entire Kami-Damned empire, I think we should probably either catch up to Denbe or hole up here until his return. I don't know what in Jigoku is going on here, but we're at a bit of a disadvantage right now..."

That was an understatement... they were down a party member, it was pitch black, they were clearly being watched, and Kojiro/Kagae had pretty much destroyed any chance of them being subtle with their little stunt. Yeah, they were pretty much screwed if anyone wanted to ambush them right now.  

[Psychofish]

That was odd.

Nothing, and more nothing.

In fact, if it wasn't for the banner out front, Denbe might have walked right into the town and seen not a sign of anything being remotely out of the ordinary. Taking a final glance, he cooled his head. The others would be expecting him back before terribly much longer. There was one last thing he could do. If the Hare walked into the town and looked for an inn for them to stay at, a traveler in a town with nothing to hide should have no reason for hostility except the unusually late hour. He could find it and return to them quickly. And if there was any ambush awaiting, better he be caught in it than that all of the wardens be caught in it. With him missing so much longer, surely they would not be so foolish as to walk blindly into the same risk?

Or at least, he was figuring along those lines, when he heard steel on steel from back in the direction he'd come from.

"Ancestor's preserve me," had they been caught while he was scouting?

The Hare slipped back in the shadows, and headed back in the direction of his allies, half expecting to find combat on his return.  

[Plainsfox]

@The Outskirts (Still)

Kojiro would give an exasperated sigh. "The fate of this village is not our purview. We should not behave like confused animals expecting some trap when there is none to begin with." Kojiro spoke, angry that the other Wardens were preparing for war it seemed. Granted Kagae and Kojiro had drawn their swords, but it was for another reason.


If I may speak for her, Shosuro-san and I am going to go into that village, get rest, and ask how this came to be. The rest of you are more than welcome to spend your night out here and imagine some vast conspiracy at work. Or you can join us in the village and learn the truth. Besides, they know we're here already."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Exploring Hares:

This village is too small to have an inn. This road isn't a main one, so it sees very few travelers. Most village leaders would have a room or two that they would let samurai stay in, as a show of hospitality. In a village this small, the headman's hut is the best place to look if one was looking for a place to stay.

Though, it would be difficult to house a group as large as yours in a single peasant's home.

Needless to say, you are not ambushed.  

[Sutiiven]

Hisashi would not turn to look at Kojiro, but would speak with quiet anger in his voice. "You will do nothing of the sort until Denbe returns. You've already proven your inability to think or behave rationally in this situation. It is your own decision to leave your weapons sheathed, but I will not have your temper put us at any greater risk by storming in without intel from our scout."

He would now turn his head to look back at Kojiro, shooting the dirtiest of looks. He was clearly not in the mood for this s**t. "Now, unless you have anything more useful to do, would you kindly sit down and shut up before I shoot you in the face and break your kneecaps?"

Deceit/Intimidation: 5k3+2 to attempt to "motivate" Kojiro into compliance.
Total: 6+5+4 (+2) = 17  

[Plainsfox]

@At the Outskirts
The Bayushi bushi would lower his voice to a dangerous tone. "Making threats against Scorpions is a dangerous hobby, Hisashi-tan. It comes with substantial risks. This is something that Great Clans understand."

"But yes." Kojiro commented at a more normal tone. "We shall wait for Ujina-san. I do not think you need to have your bow at the ready.... I know your opinion on my skill, but do you think Ujina-san and Kakita-san are really so unable to offer you protection?" the Scorpion said, almost laughingly. "Fine, fine. If having your bow at the ready makes you feel safer, than do so."


OOC:
Willpower/Deceit (4k3, no explosions)
Spending a Void Point
Results: 19